Washington Hiking and Backpacking Trips

North Cascades National Park: Coon Lake

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Climb above the Stehekin River Valley, passing rugged cliffs and bird's-eye views, to a remote mountain lake at the foot of McGregor Mountain.

Seattle, WA: Pratt Lake Saddle

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Less than an hour's drive from Seattle, this 8.2-mile out-and-back visits a scenic overlook with five-star views of Mount Rainier and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Seattle: Wallace Falls Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
This mostly forested loop climbs 1,250 feet to three misty waterfalls and dynamite views of the Olympic Mountains.

Seattle: Goat Mountain Trail

BACKPACKER Review
This 5.8-mile hike passes the Mount St. Helens blast area, then enters old growth as it ascends Goat Mountain's ridges to several stunning overlooks.

Vancouver, WA: Table Mountain via Pacific Crest Trail

BACKPACKER Review
Follow the Pacific Crest Trail across wooded creeks and steep rock gardens to a broad summit overlooking the Columbia River Gorge on this strenuous 15-mile out-and-back.

Seattle: Round Mountain to Alpine Lookout

BACKPACKER Review
Hike 9.6 miles over a panoramic ridgeline serving up big views of Glacier Peak, and across wildflower meadows to a lookout tower.

Winthrop, WA: Winthrop to Diablo

This remote and rugged super century from Winthrop to Diablo (and back) climbs through the "Little Alps" of the North Cascades.

Bandera Mountain

Nice day hike from Seattle. Great views of Mt. Rainer and Mason Lake.

Tubal Cain Mine and B-17 Crash Site

3 Day Backpacking trip to visit two mine shafts two passes and one B-17 Crash site.

Olympics Northern Loop

Loop through the northern portion of the Olympic National Park

BACKPACKER PRO Maps

BACKPACKER Review
Get epic BACKPACKER editor-approved adventures on custom waterproof maps.

Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Paddle Pristine Shorelines

BACKPACKER Review
Sea kayaking unlocks a new world of solitude and scenery.

Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Climb to Heart-Pumping Heights

BACKPACKER Review
Scramble a class 3 route and claim your own private peak.

BACKPACKER Review
Tired of the same old weekend loops? Looking to create memories your grandkids will talk about? In this how-and-where guide, we serve up 15 extraordinary escapes that will shatter your expectations of "normal." From adventure moviemaking to canyoneering, we'll take you places you've never been—but will long to visit again soon.

Readers' Choice 2012: Top 3 - West Hikes

BACKPACKER Review
The region's best picks from our top field correspondent, who's notched more than 1,800 trail miles throughout the West and mapped 116 trips.

Rip & Go: Trapper Creek Wilderness Loop - Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA

BACKPACKER Review
Climb through towering evergreens to in-your-face Cascade views.

Tatoosh Range, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

BACKPACKER Slideshow
In September 2005, BACKPACKER editor Jonathan Dorn joined the magazine's Northwest sales rep Nick Freedman and his friend, Susan, for a weekend hike in the little-known Tatoosh Range before a summit attempt on Mt. Rainier. (Photos by Jonathan Dorn)

3D Flyover: Olympic National Park

BACKPACKER Video
Ramble from giant virgin cedar, hemlock, fir trees to high alpine peaks and classic Northwest rainforest on this 45-mile epic.

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Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

Life's Short, Hike More!

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.